Services

Danville Regional provides over 25 medical specialties and 14 surgical services to the community. DRMC has the largest, leading-edge surgical capacity in the Dan River Region. We provide a full range of surgeries, including those usually found only at large teaching hospitals.

Whether you are a patient or visitor at Danville Regional Medical Center, we want your experience with us to be as pleasant as possible. We have provided helpful information to help you during your stay or while visiting a patient in the hospital.

Hyperosmolar Nonketotic Coma

Definition

Hyperosmolar nonketotic coma occurs in people with
diabetes
. It is a life-threatening event. Seek medical attention right away if you think you have any symptoms of an impending hyperosmolar nonketotic coma.

Causes

Hyperosmolar nonketotic coma is a
complication
of very high blood glucose levels. Blood glucose often rises to these levels because of an illness or infection.

The body will try to get rid of the extra blood glucose through the urine. The frequency and volume of urination will increase. Unfortunately, this process also washes out other substances in your blood. Some of these substances are important to your brain. Low levels of these substances can lead to
seizures
,
coma
, and eventually death.

Risk Factors

The chance of hyperosmolar nonketotic coma is higher in older adults.

Other factors that may increase your chance of hyperosmolar nonketotic coma include having diabetes and:

Treatment

You will likely need treatment in the emergency room and/or the intensive care unit at the
hospital.
Treatment will focus on restoring the correct balance of substances in your blood, including glucose. Treatment may include:

Fluids and minerals through an IV—to replace substances you lost and improve your urine output.

Insulin through an IV—to help control your blood glucose levels.

You may need additional treatment, such as antibiotics, if an infection led to the coma.

Prevention

To help prevent hyperosmolar nonketotic coma:

Monitor your blood glucose levels regularly. Your doctor can instruct you about how often to check your levels, and what the numbers mean.

Drink plenty of fluids throughout the day.

Talk with your doctor about how to manage your blood glucose when you are sick.

Revision Information

This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.